We freely donated an easement to close the last remaining gap on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and started the Towpath Trail Snack Shack in 2017 to supplement retirement while having fun and doing good for the community in the process.

In 2019, we learned of a shortage of primitive campsites along our beautiful Tuscarawas County towpath trail and decided after much consideration to do something about it. Our section of the trail is expected to be developed in the fall of 2020, so I've made my land available for four primitive campsites immediately, despite the current obstacle potable drinking water.

Located on the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway between the village of Bolivar Ballparks and the McDonnell trailheads on the towpath trail on Ohio Route 212. Primitive tent camping is now available on the Greenville Peace Treaty Line, Buckeye Trail, Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Scenic Byway, & the Great American Rail-Trail!

Peace Park Rules

In the event that you arrive and no one is available to meet & greet you, please feel free to set up camp in the field between the Ohio & Erie Canal and the lower driveway easement.

A few rules we have to include:

1. No Trespassing on neighbor's property! Our neighbors don't have a problem with our offering primitive camping, but they do have a problem with people on their land at 3 AM and frankly, WILL call the Sheriff and or otherwise protect their property if they think anyone is a potential threat!

Our boundary line runs through the center of the canal from the 12" 6 " Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad bridge to our pump house and to the lower driveway easement.

2. Pets are welcome on the conditions that you clean up after them and they not be aggressive. Leashes are not required for docile dogs.

3. No alcohol consumption within the peace park boundaries.

4. No firearms, slingshots, BB guns, or shooting on the property. CCW permit holders are permitted if weapons remain concealed.

5. Please leave the property in the same or better shape than you found it.

6. No parties or events without prior approval!

7. No unaccompanied minors! We only allow adult campers with their children.

8. No throwing trash on the neighbor's property! Our boundaries are in the middle of the canal and in front of our Pump House. We provide trash containers and ask that they are used.

9. No loud noise after 10 PM! We ask everyone to respect their camping neighbors.

10. No vehicle traffic within the park except for loading and unloading. Overnight parking is available above the campsites.

COVID-19 Info: We offer sanitizer within a handicapped accessible Porta-potty. The host wears a mask during meet & greet and maintains a 6' distance. Campers have separate fire-rings and we ask to not socialize with other campsites. We sanitize our picnic tables between campers. We follow all local & State Health Department rules. My wife has COPD and is a very high risk, so please understand our concern for safe practices.

We look forward to meeting you!

Development Planning

A couple of immediate needed improvements include:

1. A Handicapped Accessible with hand sanitizer Port-A-Potty was INSTALLED in May 2020, (Goal achieved)

1. A bronze Ohio historical marker at the exact spot where the Greenville Peace Treaty line intersects with the towpath trail will be approx. $3,000. Ohio's only revolutionary war fort Laurens is only about 1.5 miles east of us and is referred to within the treaty.

2. A few fruits and or nut trees native to Ohio to be included in landscaping to establish a small public orchard on the trail.

Of course, I'd be grateful for any financial assistance you can afford to offer because this project would not only position myself for a modest retirement supplemental income but do it in such a manner that benefits the bikers, hikers, dog walkers and everyone that uses the towpath trail!. The GoFundMe campaign is located at URL: https://www.gofundme.com/f/towpath-trail-peace-park-campsites .

In the event our fundraising is so successful that we should meet all the goals and dreams listed above, any excess will be donated to an appropriate Tuscarawas county, Ohio based organization that is involved with the long-term Towpath Trail system management.